THE exemplary leadership exhibited by women in positions of decision-making shows that Zambia has the capacity of having a female President in the near future, says women movement’s league coordinator in Kaoma, Josephine Kalima.

She said the country had capable women who could occupy the highest positions in the land.

Ms Kalima appealed to women to support fellow women as the country draws closer to the 2016 general elections.

She said there was low women participation in decision-making position especially in the political arena, which was the stepping stone to higher positions.

“It is important to think seriously and decisively and walk the talk over these issues so that women can contribute effectively in the decision-making process,” Ms Kalima said.

She said women should this year reposition themselves if they were to achieve gender equity and equality.

“Much has been said about strategising to increase the number of women in political decision-making structures, but to no avail, and therefore these moments of political assemblies provide a unique opportunity to provide input as to the strategic direction,” Ms Kalima said.

She said there was need for the women movement to find out why 50 years after independence, women participation in decision-making was still below the minimum threshold.

Ms Kalima urged women countrywide to give support to other women who sacrificed for the betterment of Zambia, and ensure that all parliamentarians were supported to enhance the participation of more women in decision-making processes.

She commended Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi’s aspiration to become head of State by contesting the presidential election with 10 men.

Ms Kalima wondered why women had continued to be sidelined from the development structures of the country and bear the brunt of poverty.

“We hope that with legislation in place, the country can move to narrow the gender gaps currently existing, because there was still a doubt of having more women in the decision-making process,” she said.